Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I welcome that consultation with relevant bodies, including the Irish Dental Association, will be undertaken as soon as possible. During the Covid pandemic, older people and those with medical cards found it hard to get access to their dentist. In fairness to the dentists, they worked extremely hard. Following this consultation, we need to ensure that the most vulnerable people in our communities are looked after. They need to be able to get the full benefit with their medical card and need to be able to access the dentist. The contract that is being changed needs to include all people who are deserving of it. The consultation on the contract with the dentists needs to happen as soon as possible. I and other people want clarification on this as do people with medical cards and those who pay their PRSI contributions. I again thank the Minister of State for her answer.

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